About Joy

Gaelic Singer | TV & Radio Presenter | Scottish Stepdancer | Educator

Joy Dunlop’s singing career is the result of a life–long fascination with Scotland’s traditional music and has led her all over the world; from major Celtic festivals, to touring the UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Japan and New Zealand.

Through her singing, she showcases Gaelic music and song in a contemporary way that always remains true to its roots. Nominated as Gaelic Singer of the Year 2020, 2016, 2011 & 2010, she has also won both the coveted Royal National Mòd Gold Medal and the Oban Times Gold Medal and is the only person to be crowned both Traditional Singer of the Year & Traditional Dance Champion at the Pan Celtic Festival. She’s released three highly acclaimed solo albums, Caoir, Dùsgadh and Faileasan and also, Dithis; a duo album with her brother Andrew. Joy is also the driving force between ‘Gaelic/Gaeilge supergroup’, LAS and has featured on a range of collaborative albums.

A popular television & radio broadcaster, Joy is involved with a wide range of music, current affairs and light entertainment programmes. With her trademark poise and depth of knowledge, Joy’s warmth and enthusiasm have made her increasing in-demand in television and radio broadcasts alike; from presenting the weather on both BBC Scotland & BBC Alba, to fronting SpeakGaelic; a wide-ranging, multi-faceted learning brand, offering the most comprehensive approach to learning Scottish Gaelic in a generation. She also presents the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition and often hosts well known music programme Travelling Folk. Joy is also the creator and co-host of the popular Scottish Gaelic and irish podcast ‘A-nunn ’s Anall’.

A fluent Gaelic speaker, with an honours degree in Gaelic Language and Culture, Joy has taught Gaelic language and song courses across the globe and in her spare time, she also conducts the Alba Choir; Scotland’s first and only Eurovision entry, who participated in the 2019 Eurovision Choir of the Year finals in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Caoir

“Joy’s pure, enthralling vocals burn brightest at the heart of it all, acting as the ember which breathes life to the skilled, heartfelt flames of musicianship that surround her on the recording.”

“A bigger and bolder sound than ever before.”

“It’s easy to imagine the album’s sparkling tracks lighting a fire in listeners as Joy’s musical embers dance around venues and festivals across Scotland and beyond.”

Esteemed Scottish singer, broadcaster and Gaelic language advocate Joy Dunlop releases her third solo album Caoir, featuring contemporary recordings of traditional Gaelic songs.

Caoir (pronounced koor) means a blaze of fire, fiercely burning, flames or flashes – imagery which comes across in the album’s undeniably vibrant and warming sound. Her pure, enthralling vocals burn brightest at the heart of it all, acting as the ember which breathes life to the skilled, heartfelt flames of musicianship that surround her on the recording.

With its upbeat rhythms and captivating melodies and riffs, it’s easy to imagine the album’s sparkling tracks lighting a fire in listeners as Joy’s musical embers dance around venues and festivals across Scotland and beyond.

Latest News

2020

Upcoming | Archive: 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
  • Sat
    01
    Feb
    2020

    Gaelic Songs for All with Joy Dunlop

    1.30pm

    Gilded Ballroom,
    Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre, 204 Rose St, Edinburgh EH2 4AZ

    Have you always wanted to try Gaelic singing? If so, why not come and learn some of Mòd Gold Medalist, Joy Dunlop’s favourite Gaelic songs from her home in Argyll. No previous experience of Gaelic or singing is necessary – Joy will ensure the group goes at an easy pace to ensure everyone gets as much out of it as possible. Words will be available to take away but feel free to take a small recording device along with you. 

    Book here – https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/gaelic-songs-for-all-with-joy-dunlop

     

  • Sat
    01
    Feb
    2020

    Come & Try Puirt with Joy Dunlop

    10.30am

    CELTIC CONNECTIONS
    Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3NY

    Have you always wanted to try Gaelic singing? If so, here’s your chance to come and learn some Gaelic puirt à beul (mouth music) with Mòd Gold Medalist and multi-prize-winning Gaelic singer Joy Dunlop. No previous experience of Gaelic or singing necessary – just a ‘have a go’ attitude! Participants will receive paper copies of all material covered but feel free to take a small recording device/dictaphone along with you as it always helps to remember the rhythm of the words after the workshop is over!

    Book tickets – https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/come-try-puirt-with-joy-dunlop

     

     

  • Tue
    01
    Sep
    2020

    EDINBURGH, Usher Hall

    7.30pm

    Joy Dunlop in concert, accompanied  by multi-instrumentalist Ron Jappy.

    Tickets available at usherhall.co.uk

     

  • Wed
    02
    Sep
    2020

    GLASGOW, o2 Academy

    7.30pm

    Joy Dunlop in concert, accompanied  by multi-instrumentalist Ron Jappy.

    Tickets available at o2academy.co.uk

  • Thu
    03
    Sep
    2020

    STIRLING, The Tolbooth

    7.30pm

    Joy Dunlop in concert, accompanied  by multi-instrumentalist Ron Jappy.

    Tickets available at thetolbooth.co.uk

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